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I received a
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The instructional model Roy created for
In the late 1990's, I was burning the candle on both ends and could not afford to stop working in order enter a post graduate program. But I needed a master's degree in order to qualify for one of my goals: to become a college professor. My closes choice for an MFA degree was a three-year full residency program at
Two years later, I had my degree -and the largest diploma I have ever seen! My graduating class, however, was the last class to enter the program during the leadership of Roy. He retired to continue work on his own pursuits, but his presence, and his aura, remained strong on campus. During our graduation group planning talks we commented on the significance of being
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The United States government rewards its war hero's and distinguished citizens with medals. But to the people of America there is no greater individual honor than to appear on a box of Wheaties. Therefore I knew, that Roy, also an artist whose own paintings, collages, dolls, and mini-sculptures are made from the refuse of a consumerist society, would appreciate the thought and the context.
The artwork's dimension is enlarged proportionately to a box of Wheaties. The surface is a 1/4 inch thick piece of plywood that I prepared with several coats of gesso on both sides (to avoid warping of the wood) and then sanded the surface as smooth as the printed cereal box I was using as a model. In every detail the painting is an exact copy of a box of Wheaties. The only thing I omitted was to add the person's name. I figure that since "G. Roy Levin" was the title of the piece there would be no need to paint it on.
I did the painting using acrylic paints because of their opaque and saturated colors. Since lettering was extensive and tedious, fast drying acrylics were also good for adjustment and corrections. The painting was done during a five-day period, once my design and reference pictures were in order. However, I did not complete the finished flesh tones on face and hands until two years later. I liked the painting so much I kept it around the house for my own enjoyment.
But, realizing that I had to let go, I proceed to complete the flesh tones using oil paints. This is a standard procedure in my practice because I can give these areas a more photographic look, especially when it involves a portrait. Once the painting was completed, I sprayed it with a light coating of
On the back of the panel I glued three one-inch wood blocks in a triangular arrangement, one centred on the top (with a hook for hanging) and two at the lower corners for balance. The wood blocks would raise the panel off the wall when exhibited providing a sounding shadow, which I felt, gave the piece three-dimensionality. And so, from the graduating class of August 2001,
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-G. Roy Levin. Inaugural speech excerpt, August 1991. Vermont College of Norwich University. |